BOTOX & Dermal Fillers

BOTOX®

Now the most common aesthetic treatment in the world due to its exceptional results and minimally invasive technique, BOTOX® is FDA approved and has been safely used to soften and reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, particularly vertical “frown lines” between the eyebrows, “crow’s feet” at the corners of the eyes and horizontal “forehead furrows”.

The effects of BOTOX® are temporary and usually last from 3 to 4 months. BOTOX® does not require allergy testing.

BOTOX reduces wrinkles by blocking muscle contraction; Dermal Fillers don’t affect muscles. Since JUVÉDERM and Belotero are used to make your lips look fuller, and smooth out folds, lines, and creases, we often recommend combining these treatments to enhance the overall effect: both relaxing muscles and softening wrinkles to give you a more youthful appearance.

You will start to see the effects of BOTOX in about 3 days, most of the effect within 7 days, and the full effect at the end of 2 weeks. We offer to see you again at this point to evaluate the effects and adjust the treatment if needed. Because the effects aren’t immediate or drastic, you can get BOTOX on your lunch hour and then return to work without your co-workers suspecting you’ve had a treatment! For optimum results, we do recommend that you not lie down for at least four hours afterwards, and avoid strenuous exercise for about 24 hours.

For many clients, the creases and static lines made by continually contracting muscles begin to fade with successive BOTOX® treatments. Clients who follow a regular treatment schedule often need less BOTOX® to maintain their youthful appearance. If lines still persist around your eyes, mouth and other problem areas after the muscles are relaxed, we recommend Belotero®, a filler designed for treating fine surface lines.

The injections themselves generally take 5 to 15 minutes, but please allow some time beforehand to discuss which areas you wish to have treated.

Xeomin®

Xeomin® can be used to soften fine lines and wrinkles near the mouth, eyes, forehead, and brows for 3-6 months after an injection session. This injection works similarly to BOTOX® and brings patients similar results.

Dermal Fillers

Our cosmetic dermal fillers include Perlane®, JUVÉDERM®, Radiesse®, Belotero®, Voluma® and Sculptra®. Dermal fillers are used to restore volume and fullness to the skin, reduce facial wrinkles such as “smoker’s lines” around the mouth, augment the cheekbones to provide a “lift” to the lower face, correct common problem areas like nasolabial folds and marionette lines, and to plump and enhance your lips.

JUVÉDERM®

JUVÉDERM®, our most popular injectable dermal filler, is made by Allergan, the makers of BOTOX®. JUVÉDERM® is made from hyaluronic acid (HA), the natural hydrating substance that makes your skin look firm and healthy. Age, sunlight and other factors reduce the amount of HA in skin; when it loses structure and volume, wrinkles and folds are the result.

JUVÉDERM® is safe and effective ways to replace lost HA and restore your skin’s youthful fullness by adding volume to reduce lines and folds. You will see results right away!

Radiesse®

Radiesse® is an injectable cosmetic filler made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel. Its firm consistency makes it ideal for restoring lost volume and correcting deep folds and creases around your nose and mouth, contouring and enhancing the cheekbones to provide a youthful lift to the lower face; and restoring lost volume to pre-jowl depressions along the jaw line.

Because Radiesse® is not permanent, its placement can be customized as you age, avoiding the unnatural appearance or hard lumps under the skin which can occur with permanent fillers. It is a gel, but due to its firm consistency it is not used to enhance lips.

Radiesse® also doesn’t need allergy testing. It is unique in that it stimulates your body to produce new collagen, a youthful protein substance that occurs naturally in human tissue. You will see results right away, but because Radiesse® continues to work over time, they may last up to 12 months or more!

Frequently Asked Questions about Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injected with a very fine needle, and to prevent injection discomfort, the fillers themselves are infused with lidocaine, a local anesthetic. For added comfort, a topical numbing agent can be applied beforehand. While injections in sensitive areas around the mouth may still be uncomfortable afterwards, we have several different ways to minimize this. Many clients do well with cold gel-pack applications before and after the procedure, some prefer dental nerve blocks to totally numb the treatment area. We will work with you to achieve your personal comfort level.

Belotero®, JUVÉDERM® and Radiesse® are very safe, but some redness, swelling or itching immediately afterwards is normal. These reactions usually last for several days but can occasionally continue for a while longer. The treated area may be tender for that length of time.

Any over-the-counter, herbal or prescription medication that reduces inflammation can actually increase bruising and cause swelling and bleeding at the injection sites. Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), Aleve and other NSAIDS, Vitamin E supplements and St. John’s Wort should be avoided for at least one week before your treatment.

Yes, but you should use an anti-viral medication such as Valtrex, Famvir or Zovirax (acyclovir) for 1 – 2 days before, and 1 – 2 days after, getting Belotero® or JUVÉDERM®. If you don’t have a current Rx, we can prescribe one for you.

JUVÉDERM® Volbella

JUVÉDERM® Volbella is a cutting-edge new lip augmentation injectable that can bring patients subtle improvements in lip fullness, symmetry, and volume that lasts up to one full year. This product is created using VYCROSS™ technology resulting in a smooth gel that fills in wrinkles and fine lines naturally and precisely.

Belotero Balance®

Belotero Balance® is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler that can be used to temporarily smooth moderate to severe wrinkles and etched lines near the lips and mouth. This filler can also be used to correct nasolabial folds. Belotero Balance® is created using a proprietary Cohesive Polydensifed Matrix (CPM) process that results in a smooth, flexible substance that blends naturally and beautifully in with the structure of the skin. Since Belotero Balance® has a thinner consistency than most other dermal fillers, it is particularly well-suited to addressing small fine lines.